Alien smuggling often involves friends and family, not criminals

Human trafficking is a complex issue that can involve various criminal activities. In some cases, it involves exploiting vulnerable individuals for sexual purposes to make a profit. In other instances, it involves forcing people to work against their will, often by taking advantage of their undocumented immigration status or keeping their passports.

However, one of the most common reasons people are charged with human trafficking involves the crime of alien smuggling. Unfortunately, those accused of this crime often believe they did not harm anyone and instead tried to help them. They may have been motivated by a desire to help, but ultimately found themselves entangled in a serious legal situation.

What is alien smuggling?

Alien smuggling is a federal crime where someone intentionally helps another person enter the United States illegally by transporting, hiding or assisting them. Most of these situations do not involve physical harm, but the methods parties use can be dangerous. Smuggling often happens near the border and along common sea routes, especially in states like Texas, California and Florida.

Often, people involved in human smuggling may have a pre-existing relationship with the unauthorized immigrants hoping to enter the United States. Federal data on alien smuggling crimes shows that more than 60% of those charged with such offenses had no prior criminal record. More than half of them helped fewer than six people. Those accused of alien smuggling often plead guilty and end up in state custody.

Someone accused of the smuggling of persons could face long prison sentences or removal from the country after a conviction. Understanding what constitutes different types of human trafficking offenses may help people better respond after an arrest.